The monarch met and spoke with patients and emergency staff, before condemning the "wicked" atrocity which killed 22, and injured 59. Twelve children under the age of 16 were taken to the hospital after the suicide bombing (via The Evening Standard).

"The awful thing was that everyone was so young. The age of them," she told members of staff.

Among the victims, the Queen spent time with included 15-year-old Millie Robson from County Durham, who suffered leg injuries during the explosion.

The Queen asked Millie if she had enjoyed the Ariana Grande concert before the attack, to which she replied that she had won two VIP tickets and met the 23-year-old pop star backstage. The 91-year-old royal described the bombing as "very alarming" before wishing Millie a quick recovery.

"It's not something you expect at all," the Queen said to Millie's father David, who had been waiting at the exit of the arena when the bomb went off.

The Queen also met with 14-year-old Evie Mills, telling her and her parents Karen and Craig Mills: "It's dreadful. Very wicked. To target that sort of thing."

Earlier this week, the Queen paid tribute to the victims of the "act of barbarity", releasing the following statement: "The whole nation has been shocked by the death and injury in Manchester last night of so many people, adults and children, who had just been enjoying a concert.

"I know I speak for everyone in expressing my deepest sympathy to all who have been affected by this dreadful event and especially to the families and friends of those who have died or were injured," the Queen said in a statement."I want to thank all the members of the emergency services, who have responded with such professionalism and care. And I would like to express my admiration for the way the people of Manchester have responded, with humanity and compassion, to this act of barbarity."

Meanwhile, fundraising pages set up for the families of those killed in the attack have raised more than £2.3million, JustGiving has said.